Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume 11 Number 22 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Practical Bitachon- Part III Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Leah Kohn Chazal say that before Adam sinned, not only Nothing happens without his decree. This is The first level is the level of tzadikim. Yonatan did he not have to work for his bread, but the how we reveal Hashem from within the took a boy with him to the Midianite camp. He angels served it to him on a silver platter. It hiddenness. It’s a difficult test because the fought the Midianites and won the war. It was was obvious to Adam that everything came external and the internal seem to contradict an open miracle. Does this mean we can do from Hashem. After the sin, the situation each other. I’m investing so much effort and things that according to nature would never changed. Adam was cursed that he would time and I have to believe it’s not what is work? It depends on one’s level. Rabi Avraham have to work. In fact, Chazal say there were bringing me sustenance, it’s Hashem. says that people who did this felt the spirit of eleven processes Adam had to do before he Hashem inside them. They felt an urge and a could obtain bread. This idea of having to The Chazon Ish gives an example of what it strength that made them capable of fulfilling work to subsist is unique to humanity. All other means to really live bitachon. Reuven has a their mission. It’s a spirit from above, much like creation get their sustenance easily. If successful store and he seems to be a strong divine inspiration, that fills the person up and Hashem created us to serve Him, why did He baal bitachon. Then he learns that a compet- gives him the knowledge that its right for him make it that we need to devote so much of ing store is planning to open next to his. In the to do what he plans to do and to know that he our energy to physical work? Wouldn’t it have beginning, he’s ashamed to speak about it. But will succeed. This level is for great tzadikim been better to dedicate all our time to then he starts to take action against his who are deserving of miracles. spirituality? The need to work after the sin, competitor which turns into fighting, loshon was in order to help us correct what went hara, and baseless hatred. A true baal Wars are not fought by people but by Hashem. wrong. A person has to work hard to make a bitachon will try to help his competitor. How He runs the show in a way that it looks like living, but at the same time he must know that much holiness is added to the world when this cause and effect in order to test us. One must there is no connection between what he does causes people to praise those who fear take action as if it will really help but at the and the outcome. And that’s a very difficult Hashem. Bitachon has to be expressed in same time, one must think it doesn’t matter. It’s test. My headache disappears not because of what we feel and do and there are many Hashem who will determine the results. People the Excedrin I took, but because this is what levels. Even those that are not so strong in on a high level of bitachon already passed this Hashem wanted. We can say the same for faith, still believe. Even among tzadikim there test. They don’t always have to consider the earning a living. Rav Dessler explains that are always higher levels. Our job is to raise our laws of nature. Still even great people should Hashem is hidden. To my eyes it might look level as we go on in life. Wherever we are, we work in the framework of nature, in ways that as if I can make things happen the way I have to aim higher. we perceive are cause and affect. Only want. It’s easy to say my efforts brought me occasionally when they perceive an awakening success. But in this concealment, we must In order to grow from stage to stage, it’s from above and they understand that this is the arouse ourselves to recognize not only in our important to understand the three major levels will of Hashem in this particular time, can they head, but in our heart, that nature has no of bitachon as spelled out by Rabbi Avraham, do supernatural acts, regardless of numbers power and everything is only from Hashem. the son of the Rambam. and strength. Bribe and Extortion Part II Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Dayan Shlomo Cohen The Gemara gives several examples of how then said, “I can’t judge your case.” Mar Ukva case would go, so he stood outside the door careful we must be not to take bribes. Shmuel was walking along a road and there was spittle and listened. He heard the worker making his was walking across a river and someone on the ground. Someone came and covered it claim and he started to think, he’s not express- came and helped him across. Shmuel up for him so he could continue walking. Mar ing his case clearly. Why is he saying that, he became suspicious and asked him why he Ukva asked the man why he did it. The man should say this. And suddenly he thought, look was helping him. The man answered, “I have answered, “I have a case with you today.” Mar how I was influenced. He gave me my own a court case today.” Shmuel immediately said, Ukva then said, “I can’t judge your case.” Even produce, he just brought it earlier. Neverthe- “I’m not allowed to judge your case. By a small favor is considered a bribe. less, it still made an impact. helping me across the river, you’ve given me a bribe.” Although it was very subtle, Shmuel Rabbi Yishmael ben Reb Yosi had a worker If the bribe was given long before the case felt it would influence his decision. who used to pick the fruits from Rabbi was scheduled, the judge himself must Yishmael’s orchard and bring it to him. One consider if he’s fit to judge the case or if he’s Amemer was sitting in court and a bird broke day, the worker came early. Rabbi Yishmael now biased. If he feels even a slight leaning, into the courtroom and perched on his head. A asked him why. He answered, “I’ve got a case he should refuse the case. We see that person who was waiting to have a case in court today.” Rabbi Yishmael refused to deciding cases must be done with the utmost judged, got up and chased it away. Amemer judge the case. Still he wanted to hear how the integrity and even the slightest bribe can cloud Continued on page 2 Help support Naaleh by searching the web! For more information visit www.iGive/Naaleh.com & www.iSearchiGive/Naaleh.com visit us online at: www.naaleh.com | for questions, suggestions, or dedication opportunities, email [email protected] 1 Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume 11 Number 22 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Bribe and Extortion Part II Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Dayan Shlomo Cohen Continued from page 1 one’s point of view. We see the strength of a However, every few years an extra month is service on Yom Kippur will need to immerse in bribe that it can completely change added so that the holidays come out in the colder weather. This minor bias, says the someone’s opinion and how careful we must correct seasons. When there is an extra Rambam, disqualifies him from being part of be. month, Yom Kippur comes out later in autumn the decision- making body who will determine when the weather starts getting colder. That if an extra month will be added. The Jewish months are fixed according to the means the kohen gadol who must immerse moon which is always behind the sun. many times in the mikva to complete his Understanding The Tales of Our Forefathers Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen Shlomo Hamelech tells us in Kohelet, heard that the first planting on Gimmel we will die. Our mission is to be concerned “B’boker zara zarecha ub’erev al tanech Cheshvan will be destroyed. The best time to with how we will live, what we will do with our yadecha…- In the morning plant your seeds plant is the second planting.” When the time on this earth. and in the evening do not rest your hand…” chassid heard this he waited for the second The world doesn’t stop. When it’s night in one planting to plant, and sure enough everything Avos D’Rav Nosson brings another story of a part of the world, it’s day somewhere else. that was planted in the first planting was chassid who went on a ship that was caught in Hashem is constantly pumping energy into the destroyed. A while later, the chassid went a storm and drowned. One day he reappeared world to sustain man. He teaches us through again to the cemetery and heard the spirit say and Rabbi Akiva asked him, “How did you get creation how to live our lives, with temidut, that planting the first time would yield success out?” The man answered, “The mitzva of never to say - I’ve worked enough.